As each of us worked to expand our culinary knowledge and began to explore new possibilities in the world of food, the more challenging it became to consistently find inspiring vegetarian food when we went out to eat. Although many places were beginning to offer more vegetarian and even vegan menu options, the choices always seemed both limited and predictable. We craved vegetarian cuisine which was fresh, creative, locally sourced and carefully prepared, and thought maybe there were other people in need of the same thing.

Our brunch themes varied between traditional brunch fare like French Toast, "bacon" and huevos rancheros to Thai food, "crab" cakes and southern classics like biscuits with gravy and pulled "pork" BBQ.... all made vegan!!

Fresh ingredients make the best food! ; photo provided by Siobhan Southern

For the past few months, we have been working closely with Raleigh Architect Andrew Osterlund, who has helped us design our storefront, as well as the most efficient kitchen and bar area we'll need to bring you a fun, satisfying and affordable 100% vegetarian meal. The start-up and construction costs for even a small restaurant like ours are approximately $200,000, and that's not counting the cost of purchasing equipment which has never been used to prepare meats or seafood. It is for that reason that we would like to not only achieve our goal, but exceed it!

The $36,000 we are asking for here will go towards the following new equipment:

exhaust hood and vent system

6-eye range with two ovens

griddle

grill

fryer

dishwasher

refrigeration

We feel purchasing these items new is an essential aspect of making a positive start for a vegetarian based kitchen.

Chef Caroline can sure make some tasty food, with the right equipment! ; photo provided by Allie Mullin

In addition to offering frequent menu changes, there are even plans in the works to collaborate with area artists who will create rotating in house installations of their work, which will both echo and enhance the seasonal changes of the menu. Collaborating with a local graphic designer as well as artists and craftsmen using reclaimed materials,The Fiction Kitchen is so excited to offer Triangle area diners a fun, unique and even inspirational culinary experience with each visit.

Please take a moment to donate to this cause which means so much to us. By spreading the word and helping us raise funds for some new kitchen equipment, you will become part of a local and global movement toward sustainable, responsible and cruelty-free food choices. Help us put a vegetarian restaurant on Raleigh's map once and for all! We send you a sincere thank you for checking out our campaign!

Although there is a huge list of people who have supported The Fiction Kitchen team from the beginning (which is way too long to list), here are links to some resources which have been so helpful to various aspects of our project... maybe they can help you, too:

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $40 or more
About $40

a Muchas Gracias on our website, (not just one but) 2 shiny Fiction Kitchen stickers, (not just one but) 2 hand-painted Fiction Kitchen magnets,and your choice of either a HI or LO Five the next time we see you

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

A big time rockin' thank you on our website, a little sticker and a big fat bumper sticker, 2 hand-painted Fiction Kitchen magnets, a signed color copy of our limited edition Fiction Kitchen Kickstarter flyer, and you'll be one of the only people in your town to have a Fiction Kitchen T-shirt.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Oh my gosh! Can we thank you enough? Of course you'll get a major thank you on our website, as well as the sticker, artist-signed Kickstarter flyer and T shirt. The HUGE part of this reward is that we are putting our fate in your hands. For months we have been working on our tagline... the one phrase to follow our name which will summarize why we are here (vegan/vegetarian, locally sourced, unbelievably good food in a fun atmosphere). After much debate, we have narrowed it down to 5 possibilities. Upon your generous donation, we will email you our short list and you can vote to pick the winner, majority rules! We are psyched this opportunity to really make this a community project, so your honest opinion is welcomed.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

WOW! You must either really love us or totally believe in our cause (hopefully both)! Obviously you're going to get a major thank you on our Fiction Kitchen website MAYBE IN ALL CAPS (to show how awesome you are), as well as a bumper sticker, an artist-signed Kickstarter flyer and a super cool Fiction Kitchen T-shirt. You will also get the chance to help us pick a tagline (see $100 reward, above) but YOUR vote will be counted twice! The other thing that really sets this gift apart is that you will also get a limited edition set of 6 different, hand-painted, happy veggie magnets to dress up that fridge, car or file cabinet a bit and remind you every day that the Fiction Kitchen loves you too!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

Are you serious? An amazing contribution like this deserves the best of both worlds. How about getting all of the Fiction Kitchen merch (the sticker, Fiction Kitchen Kickstarter flyer signed by the artist, a brand new T-shirt, and the limited edition set of 6 hand-painted magnets). You have also earned the chance to help us choose a tagline (see $100 reward, but YOUR vote actually counts 3 times). In addition to all those goods, you will also receive a free set of original note cards from Shed Letterpress, an independent design and stationery studio located in the heart of downtown Durham, NC.
http://shedletterpress.com/

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $400 or more
About $400

Alright, this type of contribution deserves even more attention. You'll still get some FK shwag (ie: sticker, magnet, signed flyer, and T-shirt), and we definitely want your input on the tagline. The amazing part of this reward is that you will be on a very limited list of donors who are invited to a vegan/vegetarian cooking class with Fiction Kitchen executive chef Caroline Morrison, conducted in our very new, very tiny Fiction Kitchen. Afterwards, you get to sit and enjoy the delicious meal you helped prepare!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

Holy frijoles! Saying thank you really isn't saying enough for this contribution, but we'll put it on the website anyway, because let's face it, YOU deserve some love! In addition to a Tshirt, some magnets, stickers, and a Kickstarter flyer signed by the artist, you will get something that NO ONE ELSE gets: A "Chopped" style cooking challenge for 4 people, in your home, with your pantry and cooking supplies. If you are not already familiar with the Food Network series "Chopped", the basic idea is that a chef creates an inspired meal based upon available ingredients. This means the Fiction Kitchen will be cooking for you, in your home, and you sit back and enjoy the show! What an experience that you can totally brag about for years to come.! (Only available to residents of North Carolina within 90 miles of Raleigh)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

Really, I'm speechless, but I have to write something in this box. If you are honestly willing to donate an amount like this, we cannot thank you enough in words. We'll still give you a shout out on the website and a complete Fiction Kitchen set of merchandise (stickers, hand-painted magnets, T-shirt, and signed Kickstarter flyer), as well as get your input on what you think our tagline should be. Because of your incredible generosity and helping us achieve our goal, you will receive a private invitation for you and a guest to attend our soft opening. This is an occasion which restaurants normally reserve for only the closest friends and family, but at this level of commitment to our cause, you are undeniably a part of the Fiction Kitchen family. We look forward to sharing a long-awaited, momentous occasion like this with you!